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Resist the Urge

Since most flights end in VMC, it’s common to cancel the flight plan as soon as you’ve got eyes on the airport. Good idea? Only sometimes—it can be a tough call.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots frequently cancel IFR airborne for various reasons like efficiency or local communication, but this removes ATC's full safety oversight, particularly in marginal conditions.
  • A case study illustrates that canceling IFR early for a visual approach in marginal VMC can significantly reduce safety margins and eliminate missed approach procedures if unexpected weather is encountered.
  • The article also highlights the dangers of departing VFR while holding for an IFR release in deteriorating weather, as it risks losing the IFR clearance and operating without full ATC support.
  • Ultimately, the piece advises against rushing decisions, whether canceling IFR prematurely or departing VFR in challenging weather, emphasizing that patience and caution are paramount for safety and legality.
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Canceling IFR while still airborne appears to be a natural instinct of Pilotus instrumentae. Why is that? Maybe it’s our generous nature, helping your brethren waiting for release while you own the airspace. Or is it our mission-driven mindset—check that box; get it done. Or perhaps it’s simply fear of forgetting to cancel on the ground, followed by that embarrassing call on the FBO phone. (I had a, uh, friend who did that once.) 

Some of us can eliminate the problem by flying only to towered airports, since Tower cancels for you upon landing. So we’re lazy, then. “None of the above,” one P. instrumentae declared. “When it’s non-towered, we wanna talk on CTAF to the VFR traffic.”

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